(Salalah, Oman 1940- ) Sultan and sole ruler of Oman
(1970- ), officially holding the most important posts in the government
and with full power to act according to his own will.
While
he has lead his country out from a backward position of remoteness and
almost no modern infrastructure, he has not opened up for any democratic
reforms in the country. Oman has therefore no written constitution, and
the only political structure with elements of democracy is a
consultative body for socioeconomic questions.
In
international politics, Qaboos has followed a moderate line, more
oriented towards compromise and peace than strict adherence to any
ideology. His international copartners include USA, Britain and Saudi
Arabia.
BIOGRAPHY
1940: Born in Salalah.
Late 1950s, early 1960s: Studies in Britain, first at a college
in Bury later at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
1965: Called home and put in house arrest. But he was allowed to
be visited by certain British visitors, with whom he cooperates on
planning a coup against the ruling sultan, his father.
1970 July 23: Coup against the sultan. Qaboos becomes
sultan, prime minister, defence and foreign minister. Under Qaboos, Oman
entered the Arab League and the United Nations.
1970s: Using oil revenues, Qaboos builds the infrastructure of
backward Oman.
1975: With foreign help, Qaboos succeeds in suppressing the
uprising in the Dhofar region.
1978: Qaboos gives his support to the Camp David Accords between
Egypt and Israel as the only Arab leader. He continues having contacts
with both Egypt and the other other Arab countries.
1981: Qaboos participates in the founding of GCC, the Gulf
Cooperation Council.
1993: Qaboos is active in the Middle East peace process,
following the Oslo Agreement. He has been the host for many conferences.
International Relations
In 1970, Oman had been isolated from the rest of the world for far
too long and it was now essential to open up the country and develop
proper international relations which had been almost non-existent. From
the time of his accession, His Majesty's foreign policy has always been
to extend the hand of friendship to all countries on the basis of
non-interference in each other's internal affairs, mutual respect,
peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness.
Meeting the People
His Majesty attaches great importance to meeting his
people and, every year, he makes a point of travelling to a particular
area of the country to see for himself what must be done and what the
needs of his people are, who thus have direct access to their Sultan and
can discuss their problems personally with him. There is always a
massive turnout of people whenever His Majesty is due to visit a
particular town or area. People of all age grouped and walks of life
spontaneously celebrate with music and dance their joy and happiness at
his arrival.
Over the past 25 years His Majesty has extended great personal care to
his people and to humanitarian causes. He has given financial assistance
to worthy causes both outside and within Oman. It was His Majesty who
made the first contribution to the Omani Organisation for Charitable
Works. He has always shown particular concern for those in society who
are disadvantaged. In 1995 His Majesty made a personal donation of RO.
1.5 million to 42,047 families on social security, and to coincide with
National Day he donated a kidney stone dispersal machine to the Ministry
of Health. His Majesty has greatly helped young people to lead a happy
and fruitful life.
Royal Amnesty
In early November 1995 His Majesty ordered an amnesty for all those
prisoners who had been convicted of involvement in illegal activities
and organisations. Pardon was also granted to the members of such groups
who had remained abroad in exile. This was a magnanimous gesture,
particularly to the families of those concerned, which was well received
and is typical of the way in which His Majesty has won the hearts of his
people by showing tolerance and forgiveness.
Many world leaders and statesmen have praised the qualities of His
Majesty; his dedication to his country and to his people; his commitment
and unswerving determination to achieve progress and development; his
role on the world stage and his patriotic and humanitarian feelings.
Silver Jubilee Celebrations
Celebrations in honour of His Majesty were held both spontaneously
and officially throughout the country during November 1995 with all
kinds of festivities, illuminations, decorations, programmes and parades
too numerous to mention.
The 26th National Day is being held at Sur which will be the focus for
major industrial and commercial expansion in the years to come.
Historic Speech
His Majesty delivered a landmark speech on the 25th National Day,
praising the contribution made by his countrymen in building the nation
and urging them to greater achievements in the years to come.
"Countrymen,
You have all played your part in the making of this new chapter in
Oman history. Everyone has made his own contribution, according to his
ability, in building this structure for our future.'
Referring to the new era of Oman's development, His Majesty said:-
"This phase will be full of the highest expectations, but contain
great challenges which will require from you unflagging determination,
strong arms and clear minds. This phase will call for intensive work,
effort and sacrifice for your country".
His Majesty stressed the importance of economic diversification and the
role of the private sector, calling upon all citizens to save, invest,
pursue business, develop tourism, industry and agriculture. In his
speech, His Majesty placed great emphasis on the development of human
resources as the way forward for the Omani people, stressing, in
particular, the importance of general and technological education.
Domestic & International Policies
With introduction of the new Five-Year Plan, His Majesty reiterated
the need for concerted effort by all concerned to plan and implement a
new phase in the country's development. During the conference on Oman's
economy to the year 2020 in June 1995, His Majesty had urged the private
sector to play an active role in the diversification of the economy in
order to create new wealth and jobs for the Omani people.
His Majesty has encouraged the democratic process through the Majlis
al-Shura and given great emphasis to the advancement of women in all
spheres of the country's life. His Majesty has successfully maintained a
delicate balance between preserving the traditions and religion of his
country and introducing the modernisation needed to keep pace with the
changes taking place in the rest of the world.
Peace in the Middle East
His Majesty has spoken out strongly against terrorism and fanatism. He
has stressed his belief that international disputes must be settled
through negotiation and not conflict. His mediation, when invited to
do so, has earned him the respect of the world community. His Majesty
was the only Arab leader who supported the late President Anwar
Sadat's mission to Israel, which led to the Camp David peace accord,
and has consistently urged forward the peace process in the Middle
East. His Majesty regards the achievement of a comprehensive and
lasting peace in the region as being of the highest priority, and has
worked tirelessly to this end.
